Okay... I'll own up to buying a pair of these bad boys.. I got the 3mm (I didn't even know they did 5mm) I wore them for the first time last week.. Very toasty and really, really light. Good grip, blah de blah.. The split toe was a pain in the arse as the toe bit is pretty small.. I had three sessions, didn't wear them for the second and was very nippy. I don't usually wear boots till December (although I've recently discovered the delights of the east coast and that's bastard freezing so its boots all year round I reckon) sorry.. I'm actually boring myself here.. Great idea, tiny bit of ballooning but deffo v warm although its early days so there could be dramatic changes in the coming months or years.. They are way less cumbersome than my usual pair xcel Infiniti split toe. Good stuff but I can't see them lasting that long

Nice one ears - sounds like they could possibly be a contender - I've had my Xcel Infinitys for a few years so they've stretched out a bit - the Drylocks I have are too small - thought they would give, but it's the sole that's the problem.

Gotta make a choice soon-ish as to a replacement for my too small Drylocks - I'll put them in the 'consider' pile

Used them a couple times and had no balooning, found them really warm and light. However, they are slippery buggers, so it's a good idea to wax your rails and/or the palms/fingers of the gloves before surfage

Quick update... All good points re stones etc but I wore them yesterday for an east coast session (Norfolk) whilst not quite bastard freezing its a good bit colder than the southwest plus the shore break is all stone, flint and lumps of concrete.. No problems with durability and I was still pretty warm after two hours.. They were ballooning a bit though. Overall they are proving to be very good.. Way less bulk and they don't smell like a dead dogs arse (yet) reckon the 3mm is plenty for the southwest... Also I see that xcel are doing them (spotted a thread on jamboards about them)

I tried a pair of the o'neil dipped gloves. nice and warm, but have holed a pair after 5 sessions. After a surf noticed a hole between thumb and finger. needless to say its now got bigger and the glove fills with water, and pours down my wetsuit arm. Just ordered a new pair of normal gloves that should be harder wearing. Also very hard to get on and off, as you have to be a bit more careful with them to avoid knackering them up.

I've gone through 2 pairs of Xcel Drylocks - by far the warmest glove I've worn - but seals on thumb and between forefinger broke - first lot after 2 sessions - second pair after 1 session. MSW replaced the first pair but I didn't wear the second until after the warranty had expired.

Obviously a design fault in the seams

good to know how this latex dipped equipment is faring though - still curious about the boots / gloves - may have to order som after my winter break

everyone must be snapping those up because pretty much every surf shop in the l.a. area is out. i bought a pair online, ordering the same size as my xcel booties. theyre definitely smaller, so my toes bunch up a bit. other than being wary of possible size differences, i would recommend them, as theyre pretty warm, and suction to your feet so there is less bulk.

I have a pair of the rubber soul boots and i really like them. As somebody already stated they do come up smaller in foot size. I'm normally a uk 8 and i fit into a US10 UK 9. They feel really comfortable and i havent had any durability issues yet after a full seasons use.

Latest update.. My boots are now officially fucked. My own fault as I rode a log for the first time in ages and I have a habit of dragging my toe up the board when I take off.. I very neatly removed the latex and the water seeps very easily through the neoprene underneath.. This is now a hole so they're unwearable (foot froze yesterday) I'm waiting for them to dry and I'll attempt to glue them up a bit.. So weird putting my excels back on.. Felt like trainers, fine in the water though plus I went back in gloveless and it felt bearable - ish.. I still think they're a great idea but as archy sad its I'd gloves all the way!

Great work on the feedback fellas - I think I'll put these latex numbers in the bin reserved for 'nice idea' needs some R=D. ^ Ears - from what you say, and being a logger, I'll be sticking with something a bit tougher for a while

I've owned the 5mm rubber soul boots for about 3 months. I wear boots year round 2-4x/week. I knew these would be fragile, so they have been babied.

Pro:Warmest most flexible and comfortable booties ever purchased.

Con:Falling apart after a couple of months. Too easy to accidentally introduce small cuts from fingernails which expand to large gashes within a week or two of use. Many small cracks appear at seams which also quickly turn into larger holes.

I would not recommend unless you don't mind buying several pair every year.